SAN JUAN City – Euro-Med Laboratories debuted in style at the Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League (PCBL) Founders Cup by crushing Supremo Lex Builders-OLFU, 89-84, Friday (October 16) at the San Juan Arena. Meanwhile, it was not a good first game for the Cagayan Rising Suns as the Jumbo Plastic Linoleum Giants ran away with the victory, 88-75.

Bong Galanza and Jam Cortes delivered the major hits for Euro-Med of Coach Yong Garcia as they broke away from the game’s final deadlock, 69-69, and 5:45 to play. The duo scored from all angles, including steady shooting from the free throw line to send the Builders to their second straight setback and the bottom of the standings.

Mar Villahermosa delivered the insurance points via a running one-hander and 26 seconds to play, 87-80. From there, Cortes preserved the win with a pair of free throw splits as the Builders could not capitalize.

Galanza finished with 23 points, 12 coming in the fourth period. Cortes followed with 20 points and eight rebounds.

Joseph Marquez was the high man for the Builders with 22 points. Romyl Jornacion sank three triples en route to 18 points.

It was a fairly easier outing for the Giants, who entered the game fresh from an 82-94 shellacking at the hands league-leading Caida Tiles last Wednesday (October 14). The team of Coach Stevenson Tiu thus evened their win-loss record to 1-1.

Jeff Alvin Viernes hit a triple then drew combined help from Mark Lopez and John Lopez for nine unanswered points that gave the Giants the lead for good early in the third period, 50-42. Prior to that, the Rising Suns were in the thick of the fight, forcing a 38-38 stalemate at the halftime.

From there, it was an all-Jumbo show as they constantly peppered the Rising Suns’ defense from all angles of the floor. James Martinez hit a field goal followed by two gift shots that gave the Giants and unassailable 83-71 margin entering the final two minutes.

Martinez atoned for his two-point output in the last game by exploding for 27 markers in 25 minutes of play. Viernes followed with 16 points.

PCBL action resumes on Monday (October 19) with two more games at the San Juan Arena. Undefeated sister teams Caida Tiles and Kama Motors clash at 4:00 PM followed by the Foton Toplander battling Santa Lucia Realty at 6:00 PM.